Every NFL offseason brings plenty of quarterback speculation, and the AFC North is no exception. This year, the Cleveland Browns’ depth chart is under particular scrutiny, especially with a mix of veterans and rookies vying for the starting job.
On a recent episode of “The Mina Kimes Show Featuring Lenny,” Mina Kimes focused on the Browns’ quarterback situation and took a closer look at rookie Dillon Gabriel, comparing him to longtime NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, who is set to join his fourth team in five years.
NFL Analyst Mina Kimes Pinpoints Two Key Differences Between Dillon Gabriel and Russell Wilson
Wilson, who entered the NFL in 2012, spent a decade with the Seattle Seahawks before stints with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, he prepares to lead the New York Giants offense.
For Gabriel, the challenge is different: He’s on a Browns team that will not face the Giants in the 2025 regular season, so there’s no head-to-head matchup with the quarterback he’s often compared to. However, there’s no guarantee Gabriel will even start a game for Cleveland. With Deshaun Watson’s status uncertain, he would need to outperform Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders to become QB1.
During a segment on the Browns’ quarterback situation, Kimes noted that some have begun to draw parallels between Gabriel and the 10-time Pro Bowler, Wilson. She was hesitant to fully embrace the comparison, though.
“He has one difference to Russ, which is that despite being very small, he is willing to throw over the middle of the field,” Kimes said. “The other difference is that Russ was a significantly better athlete in 2012, and had a much better arm, in my belief.
“I don’t think Gabriel’s arm is bad, I actually think it’s fine, but Russ’s athleticism and his arm strength for years, allowed him to compensate for the problems he created by his height, and I just don’t see that in Gabriel.”
Wilson’s arm has contributed to 46,135 passing yards in his career, which places him at 19th all-time, a milestone Gabriel can only aspire to reach. While Kimes does not necessarily see Gabriel as a future starter in the league, she acknowledges the potential is there.
The comparisons between the 5’11”, 205-pound rookie and the 5’11”, 206-pound Wilson are unsurprising, as many consider a quarterback’s height when evaluating their skills on the field.
Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers’ 5’10”, 204-pound quarterback, was in a similar situation last season. After a rough start, he was relegated to backup (behind Andy Dalton) for five games before returning to the lineup and showing marked improvement. The move wasn’t about his height; the organization wanted him to step back, learn, and regroup. His experience demonstrates how time on the sidelines can benefit a young quarterback.
Gabriel’s path to a starting role remains uncertain amid a crowded quarterback room. Still, with continued development and opportunity, he has the potential to grow into a key contributor for the Browns. Early comparisons to established players like Wilson highlight Gabriel’s promise, but they do not define his future.